What is the highest rank among the ranks of scholars, and is there a consensus on preferring a certain type of scholar over others (such as the exegete, the jurist, the judge, the hadith scholar, the theologian, the linguist, the preacher, or the political scientist), taking into consideration public opinion on this matter?

The best sciences, after knowing the origin of religion and the science of certainty ( ilm al-yaqin), is the exegesis of the Qur'an. Following the exegetes in merit are the Muhaddithun (scholars of Hadith) who combine narration and comprehension, for they are the inheritors of the prophets. The jurists (fuqaha') who are knowledgeable of Hadith are superior to the Muhaddithun who merely collect narrations, because the faqih (jurist) is more aware of the principles of jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh), its rules, the objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shari'ah), and the method of deriving rulings. The scholars of creed (aqidah) are the best of scholars, because the honor of knowledge is proportional to the honor of what is known.

The best knowledge is the knowledge of Allah, His names, attributes, and actions; knowledge of what Allah has revealed; and knowledge of what Allah has commanded concerning matters related to the hearts and limbs. Calling to Allah with the revealed scripture has great merit, and it is not a condition for the caller to be knowledgeable of all texts. The Arabic language is very essential for understanding the texts of the Sacred Law.